U.S. patent application number 12/112685 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-30 for water management system for sterilizer.
This patent application is currently assigned to MIDMARK CORPORATION. Invention is credited to James E. Clapp, Michael J. Coyle, Ronald A. Gatchell, Dennis L. Harris, Richard L. Jones, Philip Marc Stewart.
Application Number | 20080267817 12/112685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39887206 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080267817 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Coyle; Michael J. ; et
al. |
October 30, 2008 |
WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR STERILIZER
Abstract
A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments
includes an outer casing and a pressure chamber configured to
receive steam therein. A tray is configured to hold the instruments
and is releasably received within the pressure chamber while a
boiler is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for
providing steam thereto. The sterilizer further includes a
container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from the pressure
chamber. The container is spaced from the outer casing and includes
a main body and a lid that is substantially non-rotationally
coupled to the main body. A conduit is coupled to the lid and fluid
communicates the container with the pressure chamber. The main body
of the container may include a base while the lid may include a
wall oriented generally orthogonal to the base.
Inventors: |
Coyle; Michael J.; (Huber
Heights, OH) ; Gatchell; Ronald A.; (Tipp City,
OH) ; Jones; Richard L.; (Eaton, OH) ;
Stewart; Philip Marc; (Greenville, OH) ; Clapp; James
E.; (Tipp City, OH) ; Harris; Dennis L.;
(Celina, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP
2700 CAREW TOWER, 441 VINE STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Assignee: |
MIDMARK CORPORATION
Versailles
OH
|
Family ID: |
39887206 |
Appl. No.: |
12/112685 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60914884 |
Apr 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
422/26 ;
422/298 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 2/24 20130101; A61L
2/07 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/26 ;
422/298 |
International
Class: |
A61L 2/07 20060101
A61L002/07 |
Claims
1. A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments
comprising: an outer casing; a pressure chamber configured to
receive steam therein; a tray configured to hold the instruments
and releasably received within said pressure chamber; a boiler in
fluid communication with said pressure chamber for providing steam
thereto; a container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from
said pressure chamber, said container being spaced from said outer
casing and including a main body and a lid, said lid being
substantially non-rotationally coupled to said main body; and a
conduit coupled to said lid and fluidly communicating said
container with said pressure chamber.
2. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 1, wherein coupling
between said lid and said main body includes rotation of said lid
relative to said main body of up to about 5 degrees.
3. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 1, wherein coupling
between said lid and said main body includes snapping said lid onto
said main body.
4. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 1, further comprising: a
pump operatively connected to said container and configured to
selectively direct the condensed steam away from said
container.
5. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 1, wherein said main body
includes a base and said lid includes a wall, said wall being
oriented generally orthogonal to said base, said conduit being
coupled to said wall.
6. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 1, wherein said container
includes a handle spaced from said main body, said handle being at
least partially thermally isolated from said main body.
7. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 1, further comprising: a
control module and a sensor operatively coupled to said control
module, said sensor being configured to measure a level of
condensed steam in said container.
8. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 7, wherein said control
module is configured to prevent a sterilizing cycle of the
sterilizer from starting when the level detected by said sensor
meets a condition.
9. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 1, further comprising: a
water reservoir disposed within said outer casing, being configured
for holding clean water therein and in fluid communication with
said boiler; said water reservoir including an opening for
accessing an interior portion thereof; a funneling structure
disposed about said opening, said funneling structure including a
channel fluidly connected to said opening and being configured to
direct water away from said opening.
10. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 9, wherein said channel
is generally linear.
11. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 1, further comprising: a
control module and a sensor operatively coupled to said control
module, said sensor being configured to measure a level of water in
said water tank.
12. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 11, wherein said control
module is configured to prevent a sterilizing cycle of the
sterilizer from starting when the level detected by said sensor
meets a condition.
13. The portable steam sterilizer of claim 1, further comprising: a
front face including a contour portion having a surface configured
to direct condensed steam away from said pressure chamber; and a
heating element operatively coupled to said contour portion and
configured to evaporate condensed steam away from said surface.
14. A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments
comprising: an outer casing; a pressure chamber configured to
receive steam therein; a tray configured to hold the instruments
and releasably received within said pressure chamber; a boiler in
fluid communication with said pressure chamber for providing steam
thereto; a container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from
said pressure chamber, said container being spaced from said outer
casing and including a main body and a lid, said lid being coupled
to said main body, coupling between said lid and said main body
including snapping said lid onto said main body and rotating said
lid relative to said main body to move cooperating elements of said
lid and said main body into engagement with one another; and a
conduit coupled to said lid and fluidly communicating said
container with said pressure chamber.
15. A container for use with a portable steam sterilizer of
surgical and dental instruments, comprising: a main body including
a base; a lid substantially non-rotationally coupled to said main
body, said lid including a wall generally orthogonal to said base;
and an access point on said wall, said access point adapted to
engage a conduit for fluidly communicating said container with a
pressure chamber of the sterilizer; wherein: said container is
configured to receive condensed steam evacuated from the pressure
chamber; and said container is spaced from an outer casing of the
sterilizer.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein at least one of said lid and
said main body includes a protruding element and the other of said
lid and said main body includes a engaging surface configured to
receive said protruding element to move said lid and said main body
into engagement with one another.
17. The container of claim 15, further comprising: a handle spaced
from said main body and at least partially thermally isolated from
said main body.
18. The container of claim 15, wherein coupling between said lid
and said main body includes snapping said lid onto said main
body.
19. A method for managing water used with a portable steam
sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments, comprising:
directing clean water from a water reservoir disposed within the
sterilizer to a steam source in fluid communication with the water
reservoir; directing steam from the steam source to a pressure
chamber to sterilize the instruments held within the pressure
chamber; evacuating a substantial portion of the steam from the
pressure chamber; conductively transferring heat to an outer face
of the sterilizer to thereby evaporate steam therefrom.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: directing overflow
water in the water reservoir away from an opening thereto.
21. The method of claim 19, further comprising: directing condensed
steam accumulated on the outer face away from the pressure chamber.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/914,884, filed Apr. 30, 2007, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
This application is related to the following U.S. Patent
Applications all filed on even date herewith, the disclosures of
which are incorporated be reference herein: "PORTABLE STERILIZING
APPARATUS FOR SURGICAL AND DENTAL INSTRUMENTS" by ______, "______"
by ______, "______" by ______, "______" by ______, "and ______" by
"______". The entire disclosures of these U.S. patent applications
are incorporated into this application by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to sterilizers and, more particularly,
to portable or table-top steam-based sterilizers for surgical and
dental instruments.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the medical and dental fields, it is desirable to provide
relative quick sterilizing of surgical instruments and the like.
Many systems commonly use steam to provide this requisite
sterilization. Some of these systems, however, require large spaces
and are cumbersome to transport.
[0004] To address this issue, portable or "table-top" systems, such
as one described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,893, have been developed,
which may include a portable holding device configured to receive a
removable sealable pressure vessel. Steam is then injected by other
portions of the device and into the pressure vessel to carry out
the sterilization of instruments held by the vessel. There are
drawbacks, however, present in devices of this type.
[0005] For example, disposing of recently condensed wastewater may
require handling a container that is uncomfortably hot and
difficult to transport. Containers conventionally lack a good
gripping surface, and any such surface is typically hot to the
touch, thereby inconveniencing a user transporting the container to
a waste sink or the like. Moreover, disposal of wastewater may
require removal of a screw-on type lid of the container. The lid
may include a drain line connecting the container to other portions
of the device, which may get damaged when the lid is rotated to
separate the lid from other parts of the container.
[0006] Another drawback of devices of the type described above lies
in the potential recontamination of sterilized instruments. More
particularly, devices of this type may include a sterilizing cycle
requiring partial opening of a pressure chamber at or near the end
of the sterilizing cycle. Steam leaving the pressure chamber may
tend to accumulate on outside surfaces of the device, which are not
sterile, and trickle back into the chamber, thereby creating the
potential for recontamination of the sterilized instruments within
the chamber.
[0007] Yet another drawback of devices of the type described above
relates to water reservoirs that may be found in such devices.
Water reservoirs hold water to be converted to sterilizing steam,
and may include an opening for accessing the interior thereof.
Overfilling of water in the reservoir may occur, resulting in the
corresponding overflow uncontrollably dispersing about surfaces of
the device. Such dispersion may cause water to contact electrical
components or the like, which may be damaged as a result.
[0008] There is therefore a need for a portable steam sterilizing
device capable of sterilizing medical instruments and that includes
an easily transportable wastewater container is therefore
desirable.
[0009] Moreover, a portable steam sterilizing device that prevents
recontamination of the sterilized instruments by condensed steam
built-up on outer surfaces of the device is similarly
desirable.
[0010] Lastly, a portable steam sterilizing device that prevents
the uncontrollable dispersion of overflow water from a water
reservoir is also desirable.
SUMMARY
[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a
portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments
includes an outer casing and a pressure chamber configured to
receive steam therein. A tray is configured to hold the instruments
and is releasably received within the pressure chamber while a
boiler is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for
providing steam thereto.
[0012] The sterilizer includes a container for receiving condensed
steam evacuated from the pressure chamber. The container is spaced
from the outer casing and includes a main body and a lid that is
substantially non-rotationally coupled to the main body. A conduit
is coupled to the lid and fluid communicates the container with the
pressure chamber. The conduit may, for example, be coupled to a
wall of the lid that is generally orthogonal to a base of the main
body of the container. Coupling between the lid and the main body
may include snapping the lid onto the main body.
[0013] In one aspect, the container includes a handle that is
spaced from the main body of the container and which is at least
partially thermally isolated from the main body. The container may
also include a sensor operatively coupled to a control module of
the sterilizer and which is configured to measure the level of
condensed steam within the container. The control module may, for
instance, be configured to prevent a sterilizing cycle from
starting when the level of condensed steam detected by the sensor
is meets a condition.
[0014] The sterilizer may also include a water reservoir having an
opening, being in fluid communication with the boiler, and which is
disposed within the outer casing. A funneling structure is disposed
about the opening and includes a channel fluidly connected to the
opening. The channel is configured to direct water away from the
opening. The water reservoir may also include a water level sensor
for detecting a level of water held in the reservoir.
[0015] In another aspect, the steam sterilizer may include a
contour portion on a front face thereof. The contour portion
includes a surface that is configured to direct condensed steam
away from the pressure chamber. The sterilizer may further include
a heating element operatively coupled to the contour portion and
configured to evaporate condensed steam away from the surface of
the contour portion.
[0016] Yet in another aspect, a method of managing water used with
a portable steam sterilizer includes the step of directing clean
water from a reservoir disposed within the sterilizer to a steam
source. Steam is directed from the steam source to a pressure
chamber to sterilize surgical or dental instruments held within the
chamber. A substantial portion of the steam is then evacuated from
the pressure chamber. In another step, heat is conductively
transferred to an outer face of the sterilizer to evaporate steam
therefrom.
[0017] Advantageously, the type of coupling of the lid to the main
body of the condensed steam container minimizes the likelihood of
damage to the conduit connecting the container to the pressure
chamber. Similarly, in the embodiments having a handle spaced from
the main body of the container, the prevention of contact with the
main body of the container facilitates transport thereof to a waste
sink or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] These and other objectives and advantages will become
readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the
following description of embodiments of the invention and from the
drawings in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable steam sterilizer.
in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the sterilizer of
FIG. 1, including a tray and a handle portion coupled thereto.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the
sterilizer of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3A is an enlarged elevation view of a front section the
sterilizer of FIGS. 1-3.
[0023] FIG. 3B is an enlarged elevation view of a handle portion of
the sterilizer of FIGS. 1-3.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a top view of the sterilizer of FIGS. 1-3.
[0025] FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the
sterilizer of FIGS. 1-3, taken from a left side of the
sterilizer.
[0026] FIG. 5B is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a
front section of the sterilizer of FIGS. 1-3, taken from the left
side of the sterilizer.
[0027] FIG. 5C is a view similar to FIG. 5A illustrating a portion
of a pressure interlock assembly of the sterilizer of FIGS.
1-3.
[0028] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a sensor assembly of the
sterilizer of FIGS. 1-3.
[0029] FIG. 6a is an enlarged view of another embodiment of a
sensor assembly that may be used with the sterilizer of FIGS.
1-3.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a
condensation container of the sterilizer of FIGS. 1-3.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 7
having the lid thereof removed from a main body of the
container.
[0032] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a locking
feature of the container of FIGS. 7-8 to one another.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] With reference to the figures, and more particularly to
FIGS. 1-4, a portable steam sterilizer 10 includes an outer casing
12 within which a pressure chamber 14 is partially disposed. The
steam sterilizer 10 further includes a steam management assembly
16, a water reservoir 18, an external condensation container or
tank 20, and a control panel 22 for providing input into the
operation of the sterilizer 10 controlled by a control module
24.
[0034] The pressure chamber 14 includes a handle portion 28
defining a portion of the front face 30 of the sterilizer 10. The
handle portion 28 is coupled to a tray 32 configured to hold
instruments such as surgical or dental instruments that require
sterilizing.
[0035] With reference to FIGS. 2-3A, the pressure chamber 14
includes a cavity portion 38 that is fixedly disposed within the
outer casing 12 and which includes walls defining the overall shape
of the cavity portion 38. The cavity portion 38, in the exemplary
embodiment of FIGS. 2-3A, includes opposed, parallel top and bottom
walls 40, opposed sidewalls 42 orthogonal to the top and bottom
walls 40, and a rear wall 44, all of which jointly define such
shape. In this exemplary embodiment, moreover, the walls 40, 42, 44
are integrally formed. It is contemplated that the cavity portion
38 may alternatively include suitably intercoupled walls such that
steam can be retained in an interior portion 46 of the pressure
chamber 14.
[0036] The walls 40, 42, 44 of the cavity portion 38 are made of a
suitably chosen material such as, and without limitation, stainless
steel, such that the integrity of the pressure chamber can be
maintained during a sterilizing cycle even when under high internal
steam pressure. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2-3A, the walls
40, 42, 44 are made of stainless steel of having a thickness of
about 0.036 inches. As described below, the thickness of one or
more of the walls 40, 42, 44 is further suitably chosen to minimize
the overall mass of the cavity portion 38, such that heat can be
effectively conductively transferred from one or more heating
elements disposed on one or more outside surfaces of the walls 40,
42, 44.
[0037] The cavity portion 38 includes an opening 48 such that the
open-top tray can be inserted into and removed from the cavity
portion 38. To facilitate the insertion and removal of the tray 32,
one or more of guides may be suitably disposed along one or more of
the walls 40, 42, 44 of the cavity portion 38 or as part of the
tray 32. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2-3A, two sliding
guides 50 are formed along the bottom plate 74 of the tray 32 and
protrude therefrom to engage corresponding portion within the
cavity portion 38 of the pressure chamber 14 such that the top tray
can be slidably received by the cavity portion 38. Persons of
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that guides of
any shape, dimensions, number and location may substitute the
sliding guides 50. Alternatively, the sterilizer 10 may include no
sliding guides at all. Similarly, a pair of gripping members, or
tusks 55, restrict the position of the tray 32 once inserted into
the cavity portion 38. More particularly, each of the tusks 55
includes a generally horizontally-oriented slot 55a that slidably
receives a locking element 68, as explained below, that is
connected to the handle portion 28. The lateral position of the
tusks 55 further restricts lateral movement of the tray 32 and
handle portion 28 coupled thereto.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 1-3B, the pressure chamber 14, as
described above, further includes a handle portion 28, which
engages the cavity portion 38 at the opening 48 to thereby complete
the pressure chamber 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the handle
portion 28 defines a sixth wall of a six-wall pressure chamber 14.
The handle portion 28 is thus slidably received within and is
further sealingly engageable with the cavity portion 38 such that
pressurized steam can be held within the pressure chamber 14 to
effect the sterilization of the instruments held in the tray 32. To
further facilitate the sealing engagement of the handle and cavity
portions 28, 38, a seal or gasket member 54 is disposed about the
opening 48 to the cavity portion 38.
[0039] The gasket member 54 is a resilient structure suitable to
provide sealing against the potential flow of steam from within the
chamber 14, especially along junctions between the handle and
cavity portions 28, 38. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3B, the
gasket member 54 is made of a resilient material such as, and
without limitation, rubber or composite materials, and is further
rectangularly shaped such that it closely matches the shape of the
opening 48. In this exemplary embodiment, furthermore, the gasket
member 54 includes a slot 53 that engages a lip 56, partially
defining a block support 57 of the handle portion 28, to facilitate
engagement therewith. Other types of engagement between the handle
portion 28 and gasket member 54 are contemplated, so long as they
provide releasable intercoupling to facilitate replacement of the
gasket member 54 if and when necessary. For example, and without
limitation, one or more fasteners or clamps (not shown) may be used
to hold the gasket member 54 in engagement with the block support
57 or any other portion of the handle portion 28.
[0040] With continued reference to FIG. 3B, the gasket member 54
includes a channel or depression 58 adapted to expand when filled
with pressurized steam within the pressure chamber 14, such that a
flap portion 59 of the gasket member 54 is urged against an edge 49
of the opening 48 of the cavity portion 38. The edge 49 is
non-abrasive to minimize damage to the gasket member 54. As best
appreciated in FIG. 3B, the exemplary edge 49 has a U-shape defined
by folded ends of the walls 40, 42 defining the cavity portion 38
such that the gasket member 54 is in contact with the non-abrasive
folded section 51 of the U-shaped edge 49.
[0041] With reference to FIGS. 3-3B, the steam sterilizer 10
includes a main housing 60 that holds the cavity portion 38 therein
and provides structural integrity to the pressure chamber 14,
especially when pressurized steam fills the chamber 14. As
explained below, the housing 60 frictionally restricts the
translational movement of the cavity portion 38 and further
restricts the pressurized steam-induced expansion of the pressure
chamber 14. The housing 60 is defined by walls 61 in the form of
solid plates made, for example, of metal. Two or more of the walls
61 are joined via fasteners such as bolts 62, thereby facilitating
assembly of the housing 60 as well as disassembly thereof if and
when necessary, for example, for maintenance purposes.
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 4-5C, a motorized locking assembly
63 is mounted on the main housing 60 of the sterilizer 10 and works
in cooperation with a handle portion sensor assembly 64 to hold the
handle portion 28 in sealing engagement with the cavity portion 38.
The motorized locking assembly 63 includes a motor 65 that is
operatively connected, in ways known to those of ordinary skill in
the art, to one or more engaging members configured to engage
corresponding elements on the handle portion 28. In the exemplary
embodiment of FIGS. 4-5B, the engaging members are in the form of a
pair of claws 66 that include respective slots 67 engageable with a
cylindrically shaped elongate locking member 68 fixed to and
extending through the handle portion 28 and having end portions
laterally protruding from the support block 57 of the handle
portion 28. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will, however,
readily appreciate that any number and type of engaging members and
corresponding locking elements in any number and of any type can be
substituted for the exemplary claws 66 and elongate locking element
68 of this exemplary embodiment.
[0043] The claws 66 are rotatable about a common axis such that
motorized rotation of claws 66 about such axis causes the claws 66
to engage the elongate locking element 68, thereby preventing
movement of the handle portion 28 away from the cavity portion 38
and housing 60. More particularly, rotation of the motor 65 in a
first direction e.g., clockwise, causes rotation of an actuating
arm 65a connected to the motor 65. Rotation of the actuating arm
65a, in turn, causes movement of a first link member 65b, a locking
bracket 65c and second link members 65d (only one shown for ease of
understanding) that are coupled to corresponding ends of each of
the claws 66. Rotation of each of the claws 66 causes a
re-orientation of a corresponding slot 67 from a generally
horizontal orientation to a vertical one, which thereby restricts
movement of the locking element 68. Rotation of the motor 65 in a
second direction e.g., counter-clockwise reorients the slot 67 back
to the generally horizontal orientation, such that the locking
element 68 is unrestricted from movement associated with decoupling
of the handle portion 28 from the cavity portion 38. In one aspect
of this embodiment, reversal of the direction of rotation of motor
65 between the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions may be
facilitated, for example and without limitation, by a wig-wag type
solenoid mechanism. In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the
locking element 68 may include one or more bushings (not shown) to
facilitate engagement thereof with the claws 66. More particularly,
the one or more bushings allow the claws 66 to roll over the
bushings to facilitate the engagement.
[0044] With continued reference to FIGS. 4-5C, and in one aspect of
the exemplary embodiment of the motorized locking assembly 63, each
of the slots 67 of the claws 66 includes a biasing surface 67a
connecting an entrance portion 67b of the slot 67 with a coupling
portion 67c thereof. Rotation of the claw 66 urges motion of the
locking element 68 from the entrance portion 67b, along the biasing
surface 67a and toward the coupling portion 67c. This relative
motion of the locking element 68 with respect to the axis of
rotation 66a of the claws 66 moves the handle portion 28, to which
the locking element 68 is connected, into sealing engagement with
the cavity portion 38 of the pressure chamber 14. Moreover,
rotation of the claws 66 may be suitably restricted, for example,
via one or more limit switches 69 suitably positioned to cause an
interruption of the energy driving the motor 65 of the motorized
locking assembly 63.
[0045] As mentioned above, the motorized locking assembly 63
cooperates with a handle portion sensor assembly 64 to hold the
handle portion 28 in sealing engagement with the cavity portion 38.
The sensor assembly 64 detects a position of the handle portion 28
such that, if the handle portion 28 is in a position of engagement
with the cavity portion 38, actuation of the motorized locking
assembly 63 will be permitted. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS.
5A-B, the sensor assembly 64 is in the form of a spring-loaded
contactor 70 that is actuated (i.e., causes a corresponding
electrical circuit to be closed) by a cooperating probe 72 attached
to the handle portion 28. Alternatively, the sensor assembly 64 may
be of any type other than described above, and be present in any
number, so long as it permits actuation of the motorized locking
assembly 63 when the handle portion 28 is in an expected position.
Alternatively also, a sterilizer 10 may include no handle portion
sensor assembly at all.
[0046] With continued reference to FIGS. 4-5C, a secondary locking
mechanism in the form of a pressure interlock assembly 63a prevents
the handle portion 28 from moving away from housing 60 while the
chamber 14 is pressurized. The pressure interlock assembly 63a
fluidly communicates with the pressure chamber 14 and with the
steam management assembly 16 such that when the pressure within the
chamber 14 reaches, for example, between about 1 and about 2 psi, a
piston 63b thereof begins to extend. Moreover, the interlock
assembly 63a may be such that when pressure within the chamber 14
reaches about 6 psi, the piston 63b is fully extended (FIGS. 5A,
5C) such as to engage one or more of components of motorized
locking assembly 63, thereby preventing unlocking motion
thereof.
[0047] In this exemplary embodiment, the piston 63b is coupled, at
a distal end thereof, and through a clip 63d, to a bracket 63e.
Bracket 63e is positioned to engage a front plate 65e of the
locking bracket 65c of motorized locking assembly 63. Once steam
vents and the pressure within chamber 14 returns to preset levels
(e.g., less than about 6 psi), the piston 63b returns to its
original position (FIG. 5B), thereby permitting unlocking motion of
components of motorized locking assembly 63, which in turn allows
separation of handle 28 from housing 60. A check valve (not shown)
may fluidly communicate the pressure interlock assembly 63a and the
boiler 92 and prevent the pressure chamber 14 from drawing water
from the water reservoir 18 when the chamber 14 cools down in case
of an abnormal shut-down where the handle portion 28 does not
separate from housing 60.
[0048] Referring again to FIGS. 2-3B, and as described above, the
handle portion 28 is releasably coupled to a tray 32 configured to
hold surgical or dental instruments to be sterilized. To that end,
the tray 32 in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2 is in the form
of an open-top tray such that access to the instruments is readily
available upon removal of the tray 32 from within the cavity
portion 38, thereby obviating any additional steps (e.g., opening a
two-part clam-like tray). The open-top tray includes a bottom plate
74, an end wall 76, and opposed lateral walls 78. The open-top tray
32 includes apertures to facilitate the flow of steam from the
pressure chamber 14 and onto the surfaces of the instruments. Thus,
a first set of apertures 80 is disposed on the bottom plate 74 such
as to maximize contact of the instruments resting on the bottom
plate 74 with steam in the pressure chamber 14. Similarly, a second
set of apertures 82 is disposed on the end wall 76 and lateral
walls 78. Alternatively, each of the end wall 76 and lateral walls
78 may include apertures 82 of any shape other than depicted or
include no apertures at all.
[0049] In addition to steam-flowing considerations, the apertures
80, 82 are suitably chosen such that integrity of the walls 74, 76,
78 can be maintained after repeated use of the tray and in light of
the high-pressure environment in to which they are exposed during
normal sterilization cycles. In one advantageous aspect of the
embodiment of FIG. 2, the sliding guides 50 provide spacing between
the bottom plate 74 and the bottom wall 40 of the cavity portion
38, thereby facilitating flow of steam through the apertures
80.
[0050] With continued reference to FIGS. 2-3B, coupling of the
handle portion 28 with the tray 32 provides a convenient method to
selectively insert and remove the tray 32 respectively into or from
other portions of the pressure chamber 14 disposed within the
sterilizer 10. The handle portion 28 is releasably coupled to the
tray 32 such that it can be readily separated therefrom, for
example, if the tray 32 needs to be replaced. The exemplary
embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A-B shows the handle portion 28 being
coupled to the tray 32 via a pair of wing nuts 83 that engage a
pair of threaded members 83a protruding from the block support 57
of the handle portion 28. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will
readily appreciate, however, that any suitable type of fastener in
any suitable number may be employed instead to provide releasable
intercoupling of the handle portion 28 and tray 32.
[0051] The tray 32 may be configured to receive, in addition to
freely-moving instruments, a cassette 84 (shown in phantom) holding
a predetermined set of surgical or dental instruments. The
exemplary cassette 84 depicted in FIG. 2 includes six walls having
cassette apertures 86 adapted to let steam flow through them. The
apertures 80 (i.e., the first set of apertures) disposed on the
bottom plate 74 of the tray 32 are shaped and dimensioned such that
flow of steam is not hindered from the pressure chamber 14, through
the apertures 80 and through the cassette apertures 86.
[0052] Although the apertures 80 are exemplarily depicted as shown,
persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that apertures
80 in any number may be shaped and arranged in any suitable form,
so long as they do not hinder the flow of steam through the
cassette apertures 86, to thereby facilitate sterilizing of the
instruments held therein. The apertures 82 disposed on the end and
lateral walls 76, 78 of the tray 32 (i.e., the second set of
apertures) further facilitate sterilizing of the instruments held
in the cassette 84. The apertures 82 permit multi-directional flow
of steam from the pressure chamber 14 through the cassette
apertures 86.
[0053] Referring again to FIGS. 3-4, sterilizing of the instruments
is carried out by injecting and evacuating pressurized steam into
and from the pressure chamber 14. To this end, a steam inlet 88 and
a steam outlet 90 extend through the rear wall 44 and are each in
fluid communication with a steam management assembly 16, with which
steam is selectively exchanged. A temperature sensor (not shown),
such as an RTD-type sensor may also extend through the rear wall 44
to detect the temperature of steam within the chamber 14. The steam
management assembly 16 includes a boiler 92 providing a source of
steam to the pressure chamber 14. The boiler 92 heats up clean
water received from a boiler pump 94 and feeds it into the pressure
chamber 14 through a boiler conduit 96, and the steam inlet 88. A
relief valve 92a may further be included to provide pressure relief
to the boiler 92. In this exemplary embodiment, moreover, a plastic
housing 92b surrounds and protects a large portion of relief valve
92a, although this is intended to be illustrative rather than
limiting.
[0054] The steam management assembly 16 further includes a vent
valve 98 in the form of a solenoid configured to open and close to
permit the flow of air and/or steam therethrough. Air flows from
the pressure chamber 14 through the steam outlet 90, vent conduit
100, and through the vent valve 98 when displaced by steam being
injected into the pressure chamber 14. Similarly, steam flows from
the pressure chamber 14 and through the steam outlet 90, vent
conduit 100, and vent valve 98 when steam is evacuated at or near
the end of a sterilizing cycle. Moreover, a secondary conduit 98a
may communicate steam management assembly 16 with a pressure
transducer (not shown) on the control module 24, to thereby permit
feedback as known by those skilled in the art. Other parts of the
exemplary steam management assembly 16 are taught in U.S. Pat. No.
6,984,359, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and
the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0055] Referring again to FIGS. 3-3A, steam pressurized within the
pressure chamber 14 to carry out the sterilization of instruments
causes an expansion of the chamber 14 such that an outward
deformation of the walls 40, 42, 44 of the chamber 14 is observed.
This outward deformation, which may otherwise cause undesirable
movement of the chamber 14 within the main housing 60 of the
sterilizer 10, is advantageously used to secure the chamber 14
within the housing 60. More particularly, two thermal insulation
assemblies 102 made, for example, of a non-conductive and rigid
material such as plastic, are disposed between each of the top and
bottom walls 40 of the cavity portion 38 and corresponding top and
bottom walls 61 of the housing 60. Each of the thermal insulation
assemblies 102 includes a structural plate 106 having a plurality
of pins 108 and a plurality of fins 110 respectively disposed on
each of opposed faces of the structural plate 106. The pins 108 on
each thermal insulation assembly 102 are positioned to contact one
of the top or bottom walls 61 of the housing 60, while the fins 110
are positioned to contact one of the top and bottom walls 40 of the
cavity portion 38 of the pressure chamber 14.
[0056] When steam pressure builds up within the chamber 14, the top
and bottom walls 40 of the cavity portion 38 deform, causing
contact to be made respectively between the fins 110 and walls 40
of the cavity portion 38 and between the pins 108 and walls 61 of
the housing 60. The non-conductive yet rigid nature of the material
defining the thermal insulation assembly 102 permits the transfer
of force between the pressure chamber 14 and the housing 60 while
minimizing the conductive loss of heat from the chamber 14 to the
housing 60. The force transfer frictionally holds the cavity
portion 38 in place within the housing 60, preventing any
translational motion thereof with respect to the housing 60.
Moreover, a normal force exerted by the housing 60 through the
thermal insulation assembly 102 against the walls 40 of the cavity
portion 38 refrains further expansion (i.e., deformation) of the
cavity portion 38.
[0057] While the embodiment of FIGS. 3-3A includes one thermal
insulation assembly disposed adjacent each of the top and bottom
walls 40 of the cavity portion 38, it is contemplated that thermal
insulation assemblies 102 in any number may be alternatively
disposed adjacent one, both or none of the walls 40 of the cavity
portion 38. Similarly, any suitable configuration of a structure
capable of frictionally holding the cavity portion 38 within the
housing 60 may be substituted for the exemplary thermal insulation
assembly 102 described above.
[0058] With continued reference to FIGS. 3-3A, and as described
above, steam is evacuated from the pressure chamber 14 at or near
the end of a sterilizing cycle by being sequentially directed
through the steam outlet 90, vent conduit 100 and vent valve 98.
Although steam is substantially evacuated at or near the end of the
sterilizing cycle, the reduced pressure gradient between the
pressure chamber 14 and points along the vent valve 98 results in
some steam remaining within the pressure chamber 14 at or near the
end of the sterilizing cycle, thus requiring additional drying of
the contents within the chamber 14. To this end, a heating element
in the form of a flat heating blanket 112 is disposed on and made
to contact the respective exterior surfaces 114 of the top and
bottom walls 40 of the cavity portion 38.
[0059] The flat heating blankets 112 are actuated at about the end
of a sterilizing cycle to conductively transfer heat therefrom and
onto the walls 40. Heat from the walls 40 is then convectively
transferred onto the instruments within the chamber 14 to thereby
dry them. In one aspect of this embodiment, the sterilizing cycle
may be such that the handle portion 28 is manually or automatically
decoupled from the cavity portion 38 such that steam can escape
through the opening 48 and out of the cavity portion 38. Heat from
the flat heating blanket 112 may also be such that it causes a
positive pressure differential from the interior portion 46 of the
cavity portion 38. Advantageously, this positive pressure
differential prevents the flow of air from the environment
surrounding the sterilizer 10 and into the cavity portion 38, which
would otherwise potentially contaminate the sterile
instruments.
[0060] With continued reference to FIGS. 3-3A, in another
advantageous aspect of the above embodiment, the exterior location
of the flat heating blankets 112 with respect to the cavity portion
38 permits drying of the contents thereof without occupying any of
the volume defined by the interior portion 46, therefore maximizing
the instrument-holding capacity of the pressure chamber 14.
[0061] While the embodiment of FIGS. 3-3A depicts two flat heating
blankets 112 each respectively disposed against the exterior
surface 114 of each of the top and bottom walls 40, it is
contemplated that heating elements of any type, shape and in any
number may be disposed on one, both or neither of the top and
bottom walls 40. Similarly, it is contemplated that other walls
such as the sidewalls 42 and/or rear wall 44 of the cavity portion
38 may include such heating elements.
[0062] Referring again to FIGS. 2-5A, and as described above,
drying of the instruments held within the cavity portion 38 at
about the end of a sterilizing cycle may include decoupling of the
handle portion 28 from the cavity portion 38. Such decoupling may
result, at least temporarily, in the deposit of condensed steam
from the pressure chamber 14 on portions of the front face 30 of
the sterilizer 10. The return of condensed steam (i.e., in the form
of water) into the cavity portion 38, after sterilization, may not
be desirable. To address this need, the front face 30 of the
sterilizer 10 includes a contoured portion 116 configured to direct
condensed steam thereon away from the cavity portion 38. Moreover,
a heating element in the form of a heating strip 117 is operatively
connected to the control module 24 and disposed behind the front
face 30 of the sterilizer 10. The heating strip 117 transfers heat
onto the contoured portion 116 to cause evaporation of the
condensed steam deposited on contoured portion 116. The contoured
portion 116 and heating strip 117 thus jointly provide redundant
components to prevent condensed steam from returning into the
cavity portion 38.
[0063] While the contoured portion 116 and heating element in the
form of a heating strip 117 are depicted as shown, persons of
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that,
alternatively, only one of the redundant components may be present.
Further, a heating element in any number, of any suitable type and
disposed anywhere in the sterilizer 10 as well as a contoured
portion of any shape may be respectively substituted for the
heating strip 117 and contoured portion 116 of FIGS. 2-5A.
[0064] Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, and as described above, the
sterilizer 10 uses steam to sterilize the instruments within the
pressure chamber 14. The steam is fed into the pressure chamber 14
from a steam source such as the exemplary boiler 92 described
above. The boiler, in turn, requires a supply of clean water which
it then converts into steam. To this end, the sterilizer 10
includes a water reservoir 18 within the outer casing 12, which is
in fluid communication with the boiler 92 to supply clean water
thereto. The exemplary water reservoir 18 of FIGS. 1-4 is
irregularly shaped and defines a water-holding volume suitably
chosen to permit one or more sterilizing cycles before requiring
replenishment thereof.
[0065] With reference to FIG. 6, the water reservoir 18 may include
one or more suitably located sensors operatively connected to the
control module 24. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 6, a
dual-function sensor 118 is configured to detect the level and a
quality characteristic of the clean water in the reservoir 18 such
that it may, for example, and through a signal to the control
module 24, impede the start of a sterilization cycle if a
condition, such as a predetermined level of water, is met.
Moreover, the dual-function sensor 118 is configured to detect a
quality characteristic of the water in the reservoir 18 such as,
and without limitation, the parts per million of an undesirable
substance or water hardness levels. The dual-function sensor 118
may be further configured, and through a signal to the control
module 24, to impede the start of a sterilization cycle if a
condition, such as a predetermined level of a substance in the
water, is met.
[0066] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the sensor 118
includes two probes 120 such that a flow of electrical current
between the two probes 120 is measured and such measurement linked
to a predetermined quality characteristic of the water therein.
Similarly, the two probes 120 are capable of closing a circuit when
an electrical bridge member 121 contacts the two probes 120. More
particularly, the bridge member 121 is rotatably coupled, at one
end, to one of the two probes, and is further coupled to a float
such as a cork 121 a having a density lower than water. When the
level of water in the reservoir 18 is sufficiently low, the
vertical position of the cork 121a drops, thereby permitting the
bridge member 121 to contact both probes 120, thus closing a
circuit. Closing of the circuit sends a signal to the control
module 24, as explained above.
[0067] While this exemplary embodiment depicts a dual-function
sensor 11 8, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate that, alternatively, the water reservoir 18 may include
other types of sensors or even be configured to measure only one of
the level of clean water or a quality characteristic thereof. For
example, and with particular reference to FIG. 6a, an alternative
embodiment of a sensor 118a is configured to sense the level of
water in water reservoir 18. Sensor 118a includes a float 119 that
rises or drops with the level of water. Float 119 is operatively
coupled, through link element 119a, to an assembly 119b that is
operatively connected to control module 24. Movement of float 119
and link element 119a between the two shown positions (in solid and
phantom respectively) engages and disengages from an actuator 119c
which in turn opens and closes a circuit (not shown) within
assembly 119b. Closing of the circuit, in turn, permits a
corresponding signal to be sent to control module 24.
[0068] Referring again to FIGS. 1, 4, the water reservoir 18
includes an opening 122 that provides access to the interior of the
reservoir 18. The opening 122 is used to fill the reservoir 18 and
may further be used for other purposes such as inspection of the
contents of the reservoir 18, cleaning, or purging thereof. A
funneling structure 124 is releasably coupled to and disposed about
the opening 122 to facilitate the filling process and includes
inwardly sloped surfaces 126 to direct water into the opening 122.
The funneling structure 124 may be made of any suitable materials
such as, and without limitation, plastics, glass, metal or
composite materials. Moreover, a reservoir lid 125 is hingedly or
frictionally coupled to the funneling structure 124 and disposed
thereover to prevent debris and the like from accessing the
contents of the water reservoir 18.
[0069] The funneling structure 124 includes an overflow channel 128
extending from a point proximate the opening 122 and away
therefrom, to direct overflow water away from the water reservoir
18. The exemplary overflow channel 128 in the illustrative
embodiment of FIG. 1 is generally linear, generally orthogonal to
the perimeter of the opening 122, and extends to an edge 130 of the
outer casing 12, although it is contemplated that alternate
overflow channels having other shapes and extending to points other
than depicted can be substituted for the exemplary channel 128.
[0070] Referring again to FIGS. 5A-B, in another aspect of this
embodiment, the water reservoir 18 may further include a drain port
(not shown) to evacuate water from the reservoir 18 if and when
necessary. Drainage of the water is facilitated by a drain tube 18a
fluidly coupleable to the drain port via fittings and the like
known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In an advantageous
aspect of this embodiment, the drain tube 18a may be stored along
the front face 30 of the sterilizer 10, via support brackets 18b,
for convenient retrieval thereof when needed.
[0071] With reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and as described above, the
water held in the water reservoir 18 is converted to steam by the
boiler 92, an the steam is used to sterilize instruments held
within the pressure chamber 14. At or near the end of a
sterilization cycle, steam is directed away from the pressure
chamber 14 through a valve 98 in ways and further through
components as described above. Steam is then condensed and
deposited into the external condensation tank 20 for later
disposal.
[0072] With particular reference to FIGS. 7-9, the external
condensation tank 20 includes a generally cylindrical main body 132
including a tank opening 133 and a lid 134 releasably coupled
thereto about the tank opening 133. The tank opening 133 provides
access to an interior of the main body 132 such that, among other
things, wastewater therein can be poured out. The lid 134 is
substantially non-rotationally held by the main body 132 such that
rotation of a wastewater conduit 138 coupled to the lid 134 is not
required, which would otherwise expose portions of the conduit 138
to unnecessary bending. In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS.
7-9, the lid 134 is a snap-on type, such that coupling requires
snapping the lid 134 onto the main body 132 to move them into
engagement with one another. Alternatively, other suitable methods
or components permitting substantially non-rotational coupling of
the lid 134 and main body 132 may be substituted. For example, and
without limitation, the lid 134 may be coupled to the main body 132
via clamps or fasteners (not shown).
[0073] In this illustrative embodiment, moreover, coupling between
the lid 134 and the main body 132 includes engaging one or more
discrete elements in the form of protruding elements or teeth 135
of the lid 134 with one or more cooperating recesses or engaging
surface 137 of the main body 132. Accordingly, coupling of the lid
134 onto the main body 132 includes a slight rotation, for example
of no more than about 5 degrees, of the lid 134 relative to the
main body 132.
[0074] While this embodiment shows the protruding elements 135
forming part of the lid 134 and the engaging surfaces 137 being
part of the main body 132, it is contemplated that the protruding
elements 135 may instead be part of the main body 132 while the
engaging surfaces are part of the lid 134. Alternatively, it is
also contemplated that each of the lid 134 and the main body 132
may have both types of locking features (e.g., one or more
protruding elements 135 and one or more engaging surfaces 137)
cooperating with like features on the other of the lid 134 and main
body 132.
[0075] The wastewater conduit 138 includes a flexible tubing
portion 140 in fluid communication with a coil portion 142, both
interconnected via one or more suitable components such as, and
without limitation, compression fittings (not shown). The
wastewater conduit 138 is coupled to the lid 134 such that the
flexible tubing portion 140 lies generally outside the external
condensation tank 20 while the coil portion 142 lies within it. In
another aspect of this embodiment, the wastewater conduit 138 is
coupled to the lid 134 such that the flexible tubing and coil
portions 140, 142 do not slide or bend with respect to the lid 134,
thereby minimizing the likelihood of damage to either portion 140,
142 of the wastewater conduit 138. In the illustrative embodiment
of FIGS. 1, 7, a coupling member 144 is fixedly coupled to a
vertically oriented wall 146 (i.e., orthogonal to a base 148 of the
main body 132) of the lid 134 and provides connecting points for
both portions 140, 142 of the wastewater conduit 138.
[0076] With continued reference to FIGS. 7-9, the flexible tubing
portion 140 transfers steam evacuated from the pressure chamber 14
(FIG. 1) and directs it to the coil portion 142. The flexible
tubing portion 140 may be made of any material that provides some
level of flexibility to thereby provide for motion of the
condensation tank 20 away from and toward other portions of the
sterilizer 10. Further, the material must be suitably chosen such
that the integrity of the flexible tubing portion 140 can be
maintained in light of the exposure to relatively high temperature
steam. Thus, the flexible tubing portion 140 may include, without
limitation, braided metal wire, plastics, rubber or rubber-like
composites.
[0077] The coil portion 142 receives steam from the flexible tubing
portion 140 and routes the steam through a heat exchanging
operation to reduce the temperature thereof and convert it into
water. To this end, the coil portion 142 is an elongate tubing
member including several coiled loops 150 to maximize exposure to
water already in the external condensation tank 20. In operation,
heat from the steam within the coil portion 142 is convectively
transferred to water in the tank 20, thereby reducing the
temperature of the steam. The coil portion 142 ends in a terminal
portion 152 lying proximate a top portion of the tank 20 (i.e.,
proximate the lid 134) such that steam in the form of water exits
the coil portion 142 therethrough and is deposited in the external
condensation tank 20, for later disposal.
[0078] The coil portion 142 is made of copper or any other material
suitable to withstand the high temperatures of steam while
providing for suitable heat exchanging of the steam with
surrounding wastewater in the external condensation tank 20.
[0079] The external condensation tank 20 may further include a
level sensor 154 operatively coupled to the control module 24 and
configured to detect a level of the wastewater therein. The sensor
154 may be further configured such that a sterilization cycle is
not permitted if a condition, such as a predetermined level of
wastewater, is detected by the sensor 154. While the exemplary
level sensor 154 is depicted including two probes 155 coupled to
the lid 134 and extending into the interior of the main body 132,
as shown, any alternate type of level sensor positioned anywhere in
the external condensation tank 20 is contemplated.
[0080] In another aspect of the illustrative embodiment of FIGS.
7-9, the external condensation tank 20 includes a handle 158 spaced
from the main body 132. The spaced position of the handle 158
facilitates minimization of heat transfer from the wastewater in
the condensation tank 20 and from the main body 132, thereby
permitting comfortable manual transportation of the external
condensation tank 20. The handle 158 is made of a suitably chosen
material such that it minimizes conductive heat transfer from the
main body 132 and such that it can sustain the weight of the
condensation tank 20 when filled.
[0081] Referring again to FIG. 1, an alternate embodiment of an
external condensation tank may include a pump assembly 162
operatively connected to the main body 132 and to a drain 166 or
similar dumping site. The pump assembly 162 and drain 166 are
diagrammatically depicted in phantom for ease of understanding. In
this alternative embodiment, wastewater can be selectively directed
from the external condensation tank 20, thereby obviating the need
to manually pour the contents thereof into a drain or the like.
[0082] Accordingly, many further embodiments, applications and
modifications of the invention will become readily apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope
of the invention which is intended to be bound only by the claims
appended hereto.
* * * * *